Interview: Singer Florence Rawlings

She said: "It's really weird. I was in HMV in Covent Garden last week and saw it in there and it was just weird. It's very exciting but I still can't quite believe its there.

"The reaction has been very positive, which I'm really grateful for, although I've stopped Googling myself now just in case I come across anything bad."

A Fool In Love is dominated by the work of songwriter Mike Batt, famous for former associations with the Wombles and Florence's labelmate Katie Melua. But it also throws up some surprises, with covers of songs from Allen Toussaint (Riverboat) and Chuck Berry (Can't Catch Me),

It's not something you'd expect from someone so young, but Florence said it's all down to her parents' influence.

She said: "My parents had an amazing record collection and every Saturday night they'd open a bottle of wine and the old vinyl would come out. I guess some of it must have rubbed off on me.

"There is some good stuff out now but I just really love those old soul records."

Florence had the opportunity to spend some time with a still active singing legend when she toured Europe for two months supporting Sir Tom Jones last year.

"That was unbelievable," she said.

"I never realised how many amazing people he's worked with, people like Prince and Robbie Williams. Unfortunately I didn't get to sing with him on stage but I did manage to catch his show a few times. He's still got it.

"He was really down to earth as well. He just said he still loves singing so I hope I'll be like that when I'm his age."

Florence has her first solo show at the Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush next month.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to it. In fact, I'm looking forward to a long career. All I want to do is sing, so I guess I'm lucky that I've got the chance to do that."

A Fool In Love by Florence Rawlings is out now on Dramatico Records. Visit florencerawlings.com.